Chapter 120: This Is a War

"Zhuzi, come and sit," The man's tone was calm as he looked at the empty sofa beside him.

Yuan Zhu thought for a moment, then walked over and sat down.

The two sat side by side, facing the sunset outside the floor-to-ceiling window.

Seeing that there was nothing more for her to do here, Yuan Zhu's mother looked at her son's broad back. Even sitting next to that burly man, Yuan Zhu still appeared extremely strong.

However, in her eyes, no matter how tall and big Yuan Zhu grew, he would always be that child who would scream in fright upon seeing a caterpillar.

After hesitating for a moment, Yuan Zhu's mother weakly asked, "Zhuzi, if you have time, bring Little Kai home for a meal. You two haven't been back in a long time…"

Yuan Zhu turned his head and gently said to his mother, "Mom, Jiang Kai probably won't have time to come back anytime soon. I… I should still be going to the base."

A trace of disappointment flashed through Yuan Zhu's mother's eyes but quickly disappeared. She nodded at Yuan Zhu with a smile and said, "Alright then. You two talk, I'll go tidy up the guest room." With that, she left the room and closed the door behind her.

After a moment, the middle-aged man looked at Yuan Zhu and smiled slightly, "Your mother really misses you."

Yuan Zhu lowered his head and nodded lightly, "I know, but…" He sighed deeply, then raised his head again, his eyes filled with determination, "If I want her to live a better life, I must work hard. I want to enter the War God Hall training camp."

The man made no comment, only turning to look out the window.

Through the wide floor-to-ceiling window, with the curtains fully drawn open, one could overlook countless buildings and even see the distant walls of Jiangzhong City.

Above the city was a sky tinged with deep red. Behind the white clouds, a long, curved arc faintly outlined part of a massive celestial body.

"That is Ghost Star, both illusory and real," the man murmured.

Yuan Zhu had always found this man extremely mysterious. Seeing him again only made him more curious. Since the man mentioned Ghost Star, Yuan Zhu couldn't help but ask, "Uncle, what do you think Ghost Star really is?"

Without shifting his gaze, the man said indifferently, "I don't know what Ghost Star really is, but its arrival is a war."

"A war?"

"Yes, a war of mutual devouring between an unknown planet and Earth," The man looked at Yuan Zhu and sighed, "Unfortunately, as things stand, the total area of Ghost Star's land occupied by humans is less than one ten-thousandth of its surface, while Earth is already in ruins."

"When the Beast Gods occupy more cities, human survival will become increasingly difficult. Once we reach a certain tipping point, even those of us left will struggle just to live, let alone wage war on Ghost Star."

"At that time, it will be the downfall of humanity—or rather, Earth itself!"

Yuan Zhu furrowed his brows, "Why do you think that?"

The man smiled faintly, "Naturally, because we have obtained some evidence…"

"'We'… Uncle, who exactly are you?"

The man's tone remained flat as he said, "The military, the guilds—do you think, in this chaotic world, at this crucial moment of human survival, that they are the only forces that exist? If so, you are too naive."

"Who I am is not something you need to worry about right now," The man subtly shifted the topic and looked at Yuan Zhu, "Zhuzi, when you log in this time, someone will give you a skill book. The skill is very powerful and will further enhance your strength."

Yuan Zhu frowned, but this wasn't the first time the mysterious man had given him something, so he simply continued listening.

"This isn't for free. I have a request as well."

"What request?"

"I want you to enter the War God Hall."

Yuan Zhu took a deep breath. For now, he had only obtained the qualification to take the training camp's entrance exam. Even if he passed, the training camp was filled with hidden talents—the elites of the entire country. Among them, only the very best could directly enter the Huaxia War God Hall.

"What? No confidence?"

Yuan Zhu nodded, "I… I don't know if I can do it. Also, Uncle, last time you gave me martial apprentice materials, and now you're giving me a skill book. What exactly do you want from me?"

The man smiled slightly, "When you're drunk, you're quite amusing… 'I, Yuan Zhu, am the number one War God in the world!' Hahaha…"

Yuan Zhu felt a bit embarrassed and was about to say something when the man suddenly stopped laughing. His gaze turned sharp, his expression abnormally serious as he looked at Yuan Zhu, "That's right, I want you to become the number one War God in the world!"

Yuan Zhu's eyes widened in shock as he stared at the man.

As soon as he finished speaking, the man's stern expression eased, "By the way, about your childhood friend, Jiang Kai—can you tell me his profession?"

Yuan Zhu hesitated for a long time before shaking his head, "Many people are trying to target him. The more information he reveals, the more danger he'll be in. So… Uncle, I can't tell you."

The man wasn't angry. Instead, he seemed to have expected this answer. He nodded, "Just as I thought. You're not as weak as you appear. You'll do whatever it takes to protect those you care about."

"But even if you don't tell me, I already know—Jiang Kai should have a new profession. Based on the professions that have appeared so far, he doesn't match any of them."

"Considering I first encountered you two in a dark alley, it's possible he acquired a powerful profession using incomplete materials."

Yuan Zhu thought to himself, 'Actually, it's not really a 'powerful' profession… He's just a gambler.'

Even though Jiang Kai seemed strong now, he was like a tycoon at a gambling table—rich today, possibly homeless tomorrow. That's what a gambler was.

Only he and Nuannuan knew the pressure Jiang Kai had always endured.

The man gazed into the distance and said quietly, "A new profession obtained from incomplete materials… It will be even harder for him to acquire job advancement materials. That boy, while he has reached heights unattainable by most, may end up stuck where he is."

"Besides, he doesn't seem like someone with great ambition."

"What a pity…"

———

The Fire God Squad was on their way to the secret realm in King's Valley.

Jiang Kai sneezed out of nowhere.

"Could it be that Nuannuan is thinking about me again?", Jiang Kai frowned.

Hu Yan snorted, "Kai, I've long noticed you have feelings for Nuannuan, but honestly, you don't stand a chance."

Jiang Kai immediately frowned, "Old Hu, don't talk nonsense. I don't. But… do you really think Nuannuan has no feelings for me?"

Hu Yan shook his head, "Maybe a little now, but she and Zhuzi will be training together, possibly entering the training camp, the preparatory class, or even the War God Hall. Have you heard of 'love grows over time'? You won't have a chance."

"I'm no worse than Zhuzi!", Jiang Kai protested, "Women don't even like bulky guys that much, do they?"

Hu Yan said flatly, "You and Zhuzi are childhood friends. Has he ever had a girlfriend?"

"…Maybe one or two."

"And you?"

"I… I had three or four."

"Stop bluffing. I can read faces," Hu Yan scrutinized Jiang Kai.

Jiang Kai immediately lost confidence and sighed, "Zhuzi had three girlfriends. I, uh, just have high standards. I haven't found the right one yet."

Hu Yan shrugged, "Maybe, but the result is clear."

At that moment, Ruan Yu chimed in, "Kai, if your standards are too high, just have a drink. I guarantee you'll discover a whole new world."

Recalling Ruan Yu's drunken antics, Jiang Kai's face darkened and he quickly refused.

By the next afternoon, Fire God Squad reached the designated area of the secret realm.

At the marked coordinates, they found a wooden house hidden in a corner of the valley.

Hiding behind a rock, they observed it from afar.

"Is this the secret realm?" Even though they had received accurate information, Jiang Kai and the others were still very surprised.

If it were under normal circumstances, even if they saw this wooden house, they would probably choose to ignore it.

After observing for a long time and seeing no movement inside the wooden house, Jiang Kai thought for a moment, then stepped out from behind the rock and said, "Whatever, let's go in and take a look."

═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═

patreon.com/AmbitiousTranslator

🥳Joining Patreon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining.🥰 You can access upto 20 advance chapter through Patreon.

https://discord.gg/bYAfGyp98y